The scientists were struck by the fact that even before the embryo has a developed, recognizable face, a large patch of cells in the middle of what will become the bird’s face makes a protein called Fgf8. Later, the region produces different proteins, called Lef1.

Mice, other studies have shown, also make Fgf8 and Lef1. But mice produce them in a pair of small, separate cell patches, not a single large patch.

Like the embryos of chickens, those of emus produce the proteins in a single patch of cells, the scientists learned. But in animals other than birds — such as turtles, lizards and crocodiles — the proteins are usually made in a pair of small cell patches.

Was it possible, the scientists wondered, that a key step in the evolution of beaks was a shift from small protein-producing patches to a single large one? That change might have allowed birds to develop big, fused premaxillae — the precursors of beaks.

If the hypothesis was correct, the researchers figured, they might be able to turn back the clock on evolution. If they caused a chicken embryo to use Fgf8 and Lef1 the way other animals do, it should turn out to be a bird without a beak.

Long story short there are genes that tell things what to grow into. For instance the Hox gene is well-studied cause it resides in Drosophilia and determines how many legs it produces. So, these suckers need to study the Lef1 and Fgf8 genes a lot more to really understand how they work.

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GUL DUKAT DID NOTHING WRONG.Lincoln: If it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide.